Decalcomania moistening apparatus



Aug. 16, 1938. H. KOTT DECALCOMANIA MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 17, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR Herbert K05 BY C f: we. w g

ATTORNEY Aug. 16, 1938.. H. KOTT DECALCOMANIA MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 17, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet-Z NEPQMI IIIIIIIIII III |II III II II I I I I I I I. W II IIHM HI L I V II IIIII T I H I m HHI HHHI M g I HH MI I h I I I I HI I II I I I w I .ww/ IIIIIIIIII I IA 'II'I m INVENTOR ATTORNEY wmw Aug. 16, 1938. H. KOTT DECALCOMANIA MOISTENING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l7, 1956 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 16, 1938 parse srArEs ZJZtJtt PATENT OFEECE DECALCOMANIA MOISTENING APPARATUS Application August 17,

Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus adapted to moisten and prepare decalcomanias for application to various articles by an operator.

Decalcomanias are comprised of two strips 5 joined back to back by an adhesive substance. One of the strips carry the inscription which is desired upon the said article and the other, or backing strip, is moisture absorbent. The adhesive substance is softened by the moisture absorbed by the said backing strip whereby the backing strip may be detached from the first or inscription carrying strip. The inscription carrying strip then may be applied to the surface of the said article and attached thereto by the exposed adhesive substance.

Heretofore in the art the wetting or moistening of the said backing strip has been accomplished by hand by the operator applying the decalcomanias. This has limited the useful scope of application of decalcomanias and greatly increased the costs of application of the same. In recent years 'decalcomanias have been proposed and utilized as labels, stamps and for all manner of decorative and inscriptive purposes and for various kinds of packaged and bottled goods and the need for an improved and efficient method of Wetting and applying the decalcomanias is pressmg.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to moisten and prepare decalcomanias for application to various articles. Another object is to provide means to supply to an operator a continuous feed of properly moistened decalcomanias at a rate consistent with the rate of application to said articles. Still another object is to provide means to facilitate the application of decalcomanias to articles by an operator. Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the invention is more fully disclosed.

In accordance with the above objects I have devised means operative under electrical control whereby a plurality of decalcomanias may be fed in succession into means adapted to moisten the same and to supply the said moistened decalcomanias to an operator at a rate consistent with the rateof application of the same to articles.

Before further disclosing the present invention reference should be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the various op erating elements of the present invention, in their simplest combination, to obtain substantially continuous feed of moistened decalcornanias to an operator, the rate of feed and the con 1936, Serial No. 96,348

tinuance of the same being under the control of p the operator.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a modification thereof to obtain automatically an intermittent feed of moistened decalcomanias at a rate determined by the rate of application of the moistened decalcomania to the articles.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one specific embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevational view oi the same. 7 v

Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevational view of a modification of the same.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a modification of one of the elements of the present invention, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional View of a second modification of the same.

Fig. 8 is a section taken along plane 8--fi of Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 1, the present invention in its broadest concept comprises an endless belt i composed of moisture absorbing material, horizontally sustained between rotatable pulleys and 3. The upper horizontal length of belt l rests upon platform i. The lower length of belt i dips into container 5 which is filled with water. Motor means 6 is provided to drive pulley 3 thereby to rotate belt I in the direction indicated by arrows. Feed roller 1 is disposed in a position relative to belt I as it passes over the top of roller 3 to provide means to frictionally engage the edge of a decalcomania 8 as it is fed to the nip of rollers 3 and l and to pass the said decalcomania under idler pressure rollers 9 disposed in a position adjacent the top of belt I to retain the decalcomania in contact with the wetted surface of the belt I while being carried along by the said belt. The length of the belt i sustained between the rollers 2 and 3 may be varied widely as one skilled in the art will recognize but should be at least suflicient to provide a time interval with any given speed of the belt I to obtain proper moistening of the decalcomania.

I then provide means to feed a succession of decalcomanias 8 to feed roller l. I accomplish this by providing a magazine iii in which plurality of decalcomanias 8 are stacked one above the other. The bottom of the magazine is provided with an outlet opening (indicated but not shown) through which the plurality of decalcomanias 8 may be ejected one at a time into the bite or nip between rollers l and 3.

Means are provided to obtain the ejecting of decalcomanias 8 from magazine iii. This means essentially comprises a slot opening in the bottom of magazine I9 and an ejector element I2 adapted to engage in the slot to frictionally engage the under surface of the bottom decalcomania 8 in the magazine I and to thereby push the engaged decalcomania 8 through the outlet opening provided and into the nip of feed roller I. Motor means I3 is provided to actuate ejector element I2.

In the arrangement hereinabove described, it may be noted that as the decalcomanias 8 are successively fed to roller 1 thence on to belt I, they are carried by rotation of belt I through idler rollers 9 where moistening of the decalcomania is effected. Further rotation of belt I carries the moistened decalcomania to the discharge end of the belt I where the operator may receive the moistened decalcomania, separate the two strips and apply the inscription carrying strip to the article.

In the normal expected use of the present invention it is contemplated that continuous rotation of the belt I is not desired. An operator generally does not work at a constant speed and frequent delays and mishaps occur. I therefore provide means to permit the operator to control the operation of the device, including means to regulate the speed of rotation of belt I; means to initiate or to interrupt the rotation of belt I,

means to control, regulate and to initiate or to interrupt the operation of the decalcomania feeding means described.

These several means are indicated in the electrical circuit including the motor means 6 and I3 provided for actuated roller 3 and ejector I2.

The motors 6 and I3 are electrically in parallel and draw current through variable resistances I4 and I5 respectively from source I6. Interposed in the circuit are main switch I1 and interrupter switch I8. Main switch Il may be located anywhere and operates to electrically connect the circuit to load terminals I6. Interrupter switch I8, however, is placed in position to be readily closed or opened by the operator. Thus by the operation of interrupter switch I8, the operator may initiate or interrupt energization of motors 6 and I3, thereby starting or stopping the rotation of belt I and the feeding of decalcomanias 8 to the belt. By means of variable resistances I4 and I5 the speed of rotation of belt I and the rate of feed of decalcomanias 8 to the belt may be regulated to accord with the speed of application of the moistened decalcomanias to the articles by the operator. If desired a receiving platform or shelf I9 may be disposed at the discharge end of belt I whereon the operator may accumulate a supply of moistened decalcomanias if desired, or if the speed of belt I is excessive. If desired, receiving platform I may be a wet platform adapted to retain the decalcomanias in their proper moistened condition.

Referring to Fig. 2, means I8 may be modified to provide for automatic operation of the entire device, in which case the electrical circuit associated with the device must be modified accordingly.

Interrupter switch I8, as indicated in Fig. 2, is modified to the extent that it may consist of two spaced terminals 20 and 2 I which are located adjacent the discharge end of belt I in a position to be bridged by the moistened decalcomania 8 being discharged therefrom. These contacts 28 and 2I may be built into the receiving platform I9 as indicated. The electrical circuit associated with the terminals 20 and 2I is adapted to actuate solenoid means 22 operating to interrupt the supply of current energizing motor means 8, thereby terminating further rotation of belt I.

The circuit thus interrupted remains open until the operator removes the decalcomania 8 from bridging position across contacts 28 and 2! whereupon solenoid means 23 then operates to close the circuit energizing motor 6 and to rotate belt I until a second decalcomania 8 is moved to the discharge end of belt I and disposed in bridging position across contacts 20 and 2I.

In the drawings Fig. 2, I have indicated a typical rectified circuit connected to contacts 20 and 2I and operating to energize and tic-energize the solenoid means 22 which functions to open and close the motor energizing circuit through spring pressed contact 23. As this particular circuit is old in the art per se and the wiring diagram thereby readily understood by one skilled in the art, it need not be further described.

In the arrangement indicated in Fig. 2 I have found a further modification of the arrangement of. Fig. 1, to be practical, although not essential. This modification essentially consists in eliminating the separately motor actuated ejector means I2 and the substitution therefor of an ejector mechanism actuated by some mechanical means operatively connected to roller 3.

This modification simplifies the device somewhat and is schematically indicated in Fig. 2. Ejector means I2 itself may be widely varied to obtain different operative connections to roller 3 without departure from the present invention as will be more fully hereinafter described.

As one specific embodiment of the present invention I have illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 an assembly of elements constructed in accordance with the schematically indicated plan in Fig. 2, modified to provide an oscillator link means operatively connected to roller 3 for actuating ejector means I2.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the several elements ofv the device shown are referred to by similar numerals as employed in connection with the description of Figs. 1 and 2.

Motor means 6 is connected through suitable gearing as indicated to drive rollers 3 and I. Feed roller I is disposed relative to platform 24 to provide a bite therebetween for the reception of an ejected decalcomania 8 from magazine I9 and to feed the same onto belt I and under pressure idler rollers 9.

Ejector means I2 is a mechanical substitute for motor driven means I2 of Fig. 1, substantially as hereinbefore indicated in Fig. 2. Ejector means I 2 of Figs. 3 and 4 essentially comprises an oscillator link 25 carrying ejector means I2, operatively geared by means of. a suitable crank shaft 26 to crank gear 21. The movement of the oscillator link 25 is indicated by arrows at the link fulcrum point 28.

With this arrangement it is necessary to provide some means to regulate the extent of frictional engagement of ejector means I2 with the under surface of decalcomania 8 in magazine ID. This may be accomplished by mounting crank shaft 26 on an adjustable arm 29 whereby the position of crank gear 21 with respect to gear 38 may be regulated. Ejector I2 may be comprised of rubber or similar material. With this arrangement ejector I2 accomplishes the ejection of the bottom decalcomania 8 from magazine I9 in a succession of impacts similar in nature to combing as heretofore applied in other arts.

platform l9.

Referring now to Fig. 5 I have indicated a further contemplated modification of control contacts I8 (of Figs. 1 and 2). In this modification I utilize a photo-cell 3| and a beam of radiation from source 32 and dispose the same with respect to the moistened decalcomania B as it is discharged from belt 1 onto platform I9, to control the energization of motor 6. There are several adaptations possible with this modification.

As indicated in Fig. 5, the cell 3| may be disposed in position to be energized by a reflected beam of radiation from source 32. The reflection of the beam may be obtained by decalcomania 8 being moved into position as indicated, or the movement of the decalcomania into position may operate to interrupt the reflected beam. Electrically it will make little if any difference, as the electrical energy variation within the photo-cell 3! may be utilized as indicated in the electrical circuit of Fig. 2 to energize solenoid means 22 to open or close the motor energizing circuit to motor 6, through proper operation of switch means 23.

In the arrangement indicated in Fig. 5, I preferably employ the separate motor energized means 6 and I3 for actuating or driving rollers 3 and i2, and operatively connect fee-d roller 1 to roller 3 by suitable gearing to obtain a drive thereof upon actuation of roller 3.

Alternatively it would involve no extensive modification to provide. for the interruption of the beam of radiation from source 32 by the hand of the operator as it is moved to a position to remove the moistened decalcomania 8 from The interruption of this beam may then be utilized to effect energization or deenergization of solenoid means 22, in a manner indicated in the circuit of Fig. 2, thereby energizing or de-energizing motor 6 and effecting a rotation of belt I until a second moistened decalcomania B is disposed upon platform IS. The contacts l8 heretofore described may be utilized in combination with the photo-cell 3| to obtain de-energization of the .motor circuit as the second moistened decalcomania 8 is disposed on platform IS in a bridging position across the contacts l8 as shown in Fig. '2, if desired, without departure from the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 6, '7 and 8, I have indicated several modifications in the ejector means I2 and the mechanical movement of the same by means operatively connected to driven roller 3.

In Fig. 6,'ejector means I2 may comprise a rotatable. roller !2' having a rubber or similar frictionally engaging surface, contacting with the under surface of the bottom decalcomania 8 in magazine Hi. This roller may be mounted on adjustable arm 29 as indicated in Fig. 4 to regulate the degree of frictional engagement with the under surface of the decalcomania 8 in magazine if], and a variable friction belt drive 33 may be provided between driven roller 3 and roller l2 whereby the rate of rotation of roller I2 may be adjusted to obtain any desired rate of feed of decalco-manias 8 from magazine Hi to feed roller l, during the rotation of belt I. This arrangement provides means to obtain a substantially fixed gap between the adjacent ends of decalcomanias 8 lying on belt I, which gap may be regulated by varying the tension on variable friction belt drive 33.

Fig. 7 indicates a modified ejectormeans l2 wherein a series of forward ejection movements may be imparted to the bottom decalcomania 8 in magazine l0. As indicated the ejector means comprises'a roller I2" provided with a plurality of extensions, each serving to impart a forward ejection movement to the decalcomania 8 from magazine In, a series of such ejection movements being required to project the same forward or into the nip of feed roller I. This type of ejection movement is known in the art as combing. The extent of such combing may be regulated by raising or lowering the roller it in slot st or arm 29. This arrangement provides means to vary the space gap between adjacent ends of the decalco-manias lying on belt I, and is particu larly desirable where it is desired to employ diffcrent lengths of decalcomanias in magazine it.

Having broadly and specifically described the present invention and given several specific embodiments of the same, it is apparent that the same may be widely modified without departing essentially from the nature and scope thereof as may be included within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A decalcomania moistening apparatus comprising in combination a pair'of rollers, means to rotatably sustain said rollers in substantially horizontal spaced relation, an endless belt sup ported on said rollers and adapted to frictionally engage the roller surfaces and to rotate therewith, means to moisten said belt, means to rotate said belt and rollers in one direction, said means including means to regulate the speed of said belt, means tofeed onto the belt in the direction of travel of the same a succession of decalcomanias, means to regulate the space therebetween on the said belt, means to receive the decalcomanias successively at the delivery end of the said belt, said means including means to interrupt actuation of the said belt driving means and the said decalcomania feeding means upon the positioning of a delivered moistened decalcomania upon said receiving means and to actuate the two said means upon the removal of said delivered decalcomania from said receiving means.

2. A decalcomania moistening apparatus comprising in combination, a pair of rollers, means to rotatably sustain the same in substantially horizontal spaced relation, a wetted endless belt supported by said rollers and adapted to rotate therewith, and means to drive said belt, said means comprising an electric motor and gear means operatively connecting one of said rollers to said motor to be driven thereby, an electric circuit including a source of electrical energy for driving said motor, a solenoid actuated switch operative to open and close said circuit and a variable resistance electrically in series in said circuit to regulate the speed of rotation of said motor, means to feed a plurality of decalcomanias successively onto said belt to be horizontally carried thereby from one roller to the other, and means as the said decalcomania passes over the said other roller to a determined position to energize said solenoid switch thereby breaking the electrical circuit of said belt drive means, and means to reverse the movement of said switch upon the removal of said decalcomania from said determined position to thereby close the said cir cuit energizing the said drive means until a following decalcomania reaches the same position.

3. A decalcomania moistening apparatus comprising in combination an endless belt, a pair of rollers, means to rotatably sustain said rollers in horizontal spaced relation with the said endless belt supported therebetween, means to drive said rollers and belt in one direction, means to feed a plurality of deoalcomanias successively onto the belt with a space gap therebetween, a receiving platform at the discharge end of said belt and means actuated by the positioning of one moistened decalcomania on said discharge platform to interrupt further rotation of said belt and feeding of decalcomanias onto the said belt until the removal of said moistened decalcomania from said platform.

4. In the combination of claim 3, a source of radiation, a radiation sensitive device means to sustain said source and said device in a position relative to said platform to obtain a projection of said radiation onto said device, and means actuated by an interruption of said beam to energize or tie-energize said belt driving means.

5. A decalcomania moistening apparatus comprising in combination an endless belt, a pair of rollers, means to rotatably sustain said rollers in horizontal spaced relation with said belt disposed thereon and adapted to rotate therewith, an electric motor and gear means operativeiy connecting said motor and one of said rollers to rotatively drive the roller and the belt in one direction, means to feed a plurality of decalcomanias successively onto said belt to be carried thereby over one roller, means to receive said decalcomania as it passes over the said roller, and photo-sensitive actuated means disposed adjacent said receiving means to energize and de-energize the said motor thereby regulating the rate of delivery of said decalcomanias to said receiving means.

6. A decalcomania moistening apparatus com-- prising in combination a pair of rollers, an endless belt and means to sustain said rollers in horizontal spaced relation with said belt supported therebetween, a support platform for the upper horizontal length of said belt in one direction, means to feed a plurality of decalcomanias successively onto the upper horizontal length of said belt, idler roller means to press said decalcomanias onto said belt, a take-off platform adjacent the delivery end of said belt, and means energized by the delivery of a moistened decalcomania onto said take-oil platform and deenergize by a removal of the same therefrom, to obtain intermittent actuation of said belt driving means and said decalcomania feeding means.

7. In the combination of claim 6, a pair of spaced electrical contacts disposed on said platform in a position to be bridged by the delivered decalcomania, and means associated therewith to open and close an electrical circuit energizing the said belt driving means upon the delivery of a moistened decalcomania in bridging position across said contactsand upon the removal of the same therefrom respectively.

8. In the combination of claim 6, a radiation sensitive device disposed adjacent said take-oil platform and means to project a beam of radiation thereon through the delivered position of said moistened decalcomania, and an electrical circuit including means to interrupt and to resume operation of said belt driving means upon the delivery and removal respectively of a decalcomania onto said take-off platform.

9. A label moistening device comprising in combination an endless belt, means to sustain said belt with a length thereof disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, means to moisten said belt, means to drive said belt in one direction, means to regulate the speed of said belt, means to feed a succession of labels onto one end of said horizontal length of the belt in desired spaced relation to be carried thereby to the opposite end, means to take off the labels as they reach the said opposite end and means actuated by the positioning of a label on said take oif means to deenergize the said belt driving means and the said label feeding means and to re-energize the two said means upon the removal of the said label from said take off means.

10. A label moistening device comprising in combination an endless belt, means to sustain said belt with a length thereof disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, means to moisten said belt, means to drive said belt in one direction, means to regulate the speed of said belt, means to feed a succession of labels onto one end of said horizontal length of the belt in desired spaced relation to be carried thereby to the opposite end, means to take off the labels as they reach the said opposite end, a pair of electrical contacts disposed on said take off means in a position to be bridged by said moistened decalcomania as it leaves the said belt, a solenoid actuated switch adapted to control the ener-gization of said belt driving means, and an electrical circuit connecting the said contacts to the said solenoid switch to control the energization and de-energization of the said solenoid switch upon the bridging of the said contacts by a moistened decalcomania and the removal of the same therefrom by an operator to thereby obtain an intermittent actuation of the said driving means con sistent with the removal of the bridging decalcomania from saidcontacts.

HERBERT KOTT. 

